Selkirk bridge closed after floodwater reaches highway

Thebridge between Selkirk and East Selkirkis closed due to floodwater on the highway,according to the City of Selkirk.

Rising floodwater has hit Highway 204 on the east side of the bridge over the Red River, the city said in a tweet Thursday morning.

The bridge and that highway are closed up to the highway's intersection with Provincial Road 212.

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannsonsays the closure is a standard feature of flood season for the city.

"The big thing that we normally look forfor that highway closing and the bridge closing is how long it will be closed," he said. "That's more the question for us here."

Johannson says he's keeping a close eye on the river. A slower spring melt has been encouraging, he said, while adding:"We've got a couple of big days in front of us here. Now, it's the water coming from the south, it's how quick the ice gets out. All those variables come into play now."

Provincial flood forecastersexpect the crest to cross theborder into Emerson around April 15-18, with Winnipeg likely to see the peak flow around the first few days of May.

Government officials said Mondaythe floodway is likely to go into operation this week.